Save Wadi Foquin (Fukin)

Wadi Foquin is a Palestinian village located in the Bethlehem District of the West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territories. The village and its population of 1,200 live under Israeli military control. The village and villagers have been victims of human rights violations which impact daily life, and jeopardize their future survival.

Human Rights violations incude, but are not limited to:

1. Land Confiscation and Displacement: Land has been illegally confiscated for the building of the settlement of Betar Illit; land confiscation orders have been issued for the proposed building of the separation wall; orders have been issued for farmers to vacate land due to takeover by the Israeli government. The settlement is illegal according to the 4th Geneva Convention. The separation wall has been ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice.

2. Damaged Water Supply: Potable water supply is controlled by the Israeli government –the village receives a small percentage of water available to them; natural springs have been part of natural irrigation system for centuries but are now drying up due to limestone runoff from settlements which harden the soil.

3. Food Supply and Farm Production: Agricultural produce which is the source of natural food supply and means of income has been damaged due to the runoff of raw sewage and construction debris from the settlement.

4. Transportation Inequality & Freedom of Movement: Israeli only bypass roads have been constructed for access to settlements but are prohibited for use by Palestinians. Road improvements within municipal boundaries of Wadi Foquin have been interrupted and/or prohibited by the Israeli military. Flying checkpoints restrict access to jobs, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities.

Friends of Wadi Foquin has submitted a request that the Lantos Human Rights Commission hold a hearing on the human rights violations in Wadi Foquin. Given the urgency of the situation, we request the hearing be scheduled in the first quarter of 2013.